Parental Incareration

Parental incarceration affects a large number of children" (La Vigne, Davies &ump;

Brazzell, 2008, p.i). "Most of {which} are young, low income, black or Hispanic" (La

Vigne et al 2008). The number of children under the age of eighteen, with parents in

U.S. prisons, State and Federal, is rapidly increasing as a result of incarceration being

used as a criminal penalty (Waldman &ump; Hercik, 2002). Children whose parents are

incarcerated, constitute one of the largest at-risk population in the U.S. (Mumola, 2000).

In addition, they are more vulnerable to economic stress and adverse interpersonal issues

such as lack trust, shame, instability in family relationship, school behavior and academic

performance or fear of getting close to anyone. "The enormous rise in the number of

{individuals} behind bars, especially women, has brought this issue to prominence".

(Krisberg and Temin, 2001).

Incarceration impacts on family function and unity. The challenges posed to

children and families of the incarcerated individual are significant. Not only are the

children faced with the trauma of loss, they are also faced with a myriad of other

challenges both in the economic and social realm. For imprisoned mothers,

separation from their children is considered one of the greatest punishments imposed by

incarceration. As the number of children whose parents are incarcerated increases, so do

their needs.

Children of prisoners have an overwhelming amount of needs. These needs

varies from having a safe and stable environment to having an appropriate caretaker to

care for them in the absence of their parent(s). As well as everything a parent is required

to provide for them. For example, the basic necessities such as food, clothing,

appropriate sleeping arrangements, supervision, education and medical care (Casework

Practice Guide, 125). Additionally, they themselves identify a vast amount of